DLF close to sell NOIDA plots to Bharti Realty for Rs 250 cr

NEW DELHI: In continuation to reduce debt burden through divesting its non-core assets, India’s biggest real estate firm DLF is believed to be close a deal to sell off two 25-acre plots of land in Noida to Bharti Realty, the realty arm of Bharti enterprises, for 250 crore.

The two plots of land in Sector 144 of Noida have permissions to build IT parks under the IT park scheme of Noida and the buyer can build close to 2.5-3 million sq ft of office space on each of the two plots, said sources close to the development. Both DLF and Bharti Realty spokespersons, however, refused to comment on the deal.

Bharti Realty, who has been keen on expanding its footprint in Noida, has been in talks with a number of other landowners in sector 144 and 145 of Noida for potential buys and joint development agreements. These deals, however, have fell through over the last few quarters, reports Economic Times.

The company had earlier bought a commercial plot of land from DLF in 2010-11 in Gurgaon’s Sector 65 on which it has just started developing an office building. According to sources, Bharti Realty is currently negotiating with Bharti-Walmart to bring them in as an anchor tenant. This is expected to be Bharti-Walmart’s headquarters in the future. “They are looking at expanding their real estate business as the group’s in-house requirements for space are growing,” the sources further added.

For DLF, this sale is part of their on-going divestment of non-core assets.

DLF has been selling their non-core assets for last two years, which include land, SEZs and some office buildings.  The realty major and its partner Hubtown Ltd had sold Pune special economic zone (SEZ) for Rs. 810 crore to US private equity firm Blackstone Group in December 2011. Earlier in September 2011, the company sold 28-acre plot in Gurgaon to developer M3M India for 440 crore.

The company’s net debt stands at 22,758 crore at the end of December 31, 2011, down marginally by 169 crore in the October-December quarter. The company's share went up to 245, a marginal increase of 4.5 percent in BSE, on Tuesday.

15 more highway projects to be cleared: MORTH

It seems the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) is all set to achieve its annual target. As last ditch to effort to cover its annualized target of 7,999 kms, the minister has assured the PMO that it would clear 15 more major projects covering 1,547 kms to fill the deficit before the end of this fiscal. 

Assuring to meet the target before March end year, the ministry said 15 major projects of 1,547 kilometers of Roads and Highways are in pipeline to be awarded and another 11 projects for 1,731 kms of roads will be considered by the Public Private Partnership Approval Committee, next week for speedy approval.

In a meeting attended by Member Secretary of Planning Commission, Secretary of Department of Economic Affairs, Secretary of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) along with Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister decided on Monday that Cabinet approvals will be sought within next week to complete this task.

The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure will also consider a proposal by the MORTH on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway to clear the project in its meeting scheduled for next week. 

This Expressway will help in decongesting the National Capital Region on Uttar Pradesh and Haryana side along with the Western Peripheral Expressway which is nearing completion. The Road Transport and Highways Ministry would also indicate its targets for the next year within this month.

CREDAI’s redressal forum gets government backing

Nandakumar

 Chennai: It what could be termed as a shot in the arm for their recently launched self-imposed initiative to redress realty disputes between builders and buyers, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI) has got an approval from the government as ‘initial level’ legal procedure, it was announced here today.

Speaking after the official opening of the three-day property fair “FAIRPRO 2012” here, CREDAI Chennai’s secretary Nandakumar said, “Our recently launched initiative ‘Consumer Redressal Forum (CRF)”  to solve property disputes between builders and buyers has been recognised by the government of India. We have received unofficial intimation that the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has decided to recognise CRF as the first level redressal for all property disputes.” 

Information the progress of CRF across India, Nandakumar said, “So far we have 22 states across India which have formulated the forums and we hope to achieve 100 per cent participation from all regions by March 2012.”

To address the problems faced by litigants whose property dispute jurisdiction falls outside the state, CREDAI has formulated central nodal agency to address the issue. “We have formed nodal agency to address the inter-state property disputes. With the customers as the main stay of CREDAI’s existence, customer redressal forums have been activated across the country to redress the genuine grievances that may arise to the home buyer in the course of their endeavour of buying their dream home,” Nandakumar said.

T Chitty Babu, the President of CREDAI, Chennai, thrown open the three-day property fair, which will be held between February 17-19 at Chennai Trade Centre. 

Endorsing CREDAI’s all-fair deals at the property show, Chitty Babu said, “Every property displayed here has been legally verified and has obtained all statutory approvals from respective authorizes. It ensures hassle-free and peaceful home buying experience as each of the developer under FAIRPRO has taken oath to abide by the prescribed “code of conduct” and stand by the ethical practices.”

CREDAI throws open FAIRPRO 2012 in Chennai

Taking further its ‘self-imposed’ commitment of providing fair and transparent dealings to all customers, the Confederation of Real Estate developers’ Association of India (CREDAI)’s Chennai chapter is organising annual property show ‘Fairpro 2012’ at Chennai Trade Centre from February 17-19.

CREDAI Chennai chief Chitty Babu (centre).

The three-day property show will see the participation of 65 topnotch CREDAI-member builders who will showcase more than 250 completed projects at the price-band spanning across Rs 10 lakh to Rs 10 crore.

Speaking at a press meet organised to announce the opening of the property show, T Chitty Babu, President of CREDAI, Chennai and head of Akshaya Homes, said, “FAIRPRO 2012 will underscore the vision of our latest ‘Mission Transparency’ initiative. We are showcasing properties which have all relevant approvals from the government agencies and clear title deeds. All the members who are part of the show have signed self-proclaimed ‘code of conduct’. Also, the show would provide an ideal platform for home-seekers who can take stock of various offerings, home loan schemes with sound financial assistance and can make an ideal choice from a wide array of 250 properties certified under CREDAI banner.”   

“The FAIRPRO 2012 also guarantees fair prices, fair practices and fair deals to benefit the customers,” said the CREDAI Chennai chief, adding, the show would provide on-the-spot legal advice for aspiring home buyers.

Informing the gathering about the rise in popularity of FAIRPRO year after year, Suresh Krishn, Convener  of FAIRPRO organising committee, said, “Even before the formal announcement of the show , the FAIRPRO 2012 website has seen 20,000 hits and more than 600 people have already registered for their entry using e-registration facility. We have seen FIARPRO growing from strength to strength each year. Being backed by trust and credentials of CREDAI, the buyers will be able to find the right choice for their need with 100% assurance and peace of mind.”

Chitty Babu (left) at the CREDAI press meet in Chennai.

Nandakumar, secretary, CREDAI, Chennai said, “Our endeavour to serve consumers through Mission Transparency and Consumer Redressal Forums (CRFs) have been recognised by the government of India. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs have communicated to us that they are considering our initiative as the ‘first level of redressal’ for all the property disputes.  So far, CRFs are active in 22 states and we intend to extend throughout India by March 31^st.” 

On the occasion, Chitty Babu also announced that, “As part of CREDAI’s social responsibility initiatives, CREDAI has collected Rs 2.57 crore from 257 members throughout the state for the relief and rehabilitation of Cuddalore, which was battered by cyclone ‘Thane’ recently. We will hand over the money to the government of Tamil Nadu by this month end.”  

Tamil Nadu leads in LEED buildings

Severe power shortage and lack of infrastructure developments notwithstanding, Tamil Nadu can be boast itself as having the highest number of energy-efficient buildings, popularly known as “green buildings” in India. According to Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), the southern state has 47 green buildings and 57 more were registered for certification in 2011. The number of LEED certified buildings in India is currently stands at 212.

Among the state capitals too, Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, tops the chart with 42 eco-friendly buildings which have Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

Chennai is followed by Mumbai with 29 green buildings and the National Capital Region (28), among cities awarded LEED certification by IGBC. Hyderabad and Bangalore are tied in fourth place with 24 each and Kolkata is sixth with eight, a report in Times of India said.

According to IGBC, there has been a sharp increase in the number of buildings in Chennai that have been awarded green certification over the past three years.  Only 10 buildings in the city won the rating from 2004 to 2008, while 37 buildings received the rating between 2009 and 2011. Experts attribute this to rising ecological awareness as well as business opportunity: Green certification gives builders a new branding option.

Nearer to Chennai, Sriperumbadur, the upcoming satellite town, has three green buildings , textile town Tirupur has two, and Madurai , Salem, Siruseri and Coimbatore have one each.

Among the green buildings in Chennai -- the Turbo Energy office complex in RA Puram, Menon Eternity in Alwarpet and Shell Business Service Centre, all with platinum certification, the highest rating. Platinum is followed by gold, silver and certified ratings, based on sustainability, waste management, use of natural resources and indoor environmental quality.

Anna Centenary Library and the new Tamil Nadu assembly building, both of them were in news recently, are gold-rated as is Express Avenue Mall, World bank building and Olympia technology park.  

Viswa Syamalam, a house in Madipakkam, is one of the two individual homes in the country to have received a green rating. It was awarded platinum rating in 2009. The other green home is in Hyderabad.

Tamil Nadu developers grab business opportunity as eco buildings get popular, which not only saves energy and water bills, etc., it also protect and saves environment.

What is a green building?

A green building is one that uses less water, is high on energy efficiency and sustainability, generates lesser waste, conserves more natural resources and has a better indoor environmental quality than a conventional building.

Today's monoliths of concrete, glass and steel will soon be replaced by green, self-sufficient buildings and towns. Eco-friendly blueprints are off the drawing board, hauled onward by energy-saving rafters and photovoltaic louvres on gigantic cranes, as the cities of the future rise from the grime of urban sprawl. 

There is also a rise in the number of buildings that have been registered for green certification , with builders needing to ensure that the structure meets certain parameters in terms of sustainability, waste generation and conservation of natural resources.

Fifty-seven buildings were registered with IGBC for green certification in 2011, 13 buildings in 2010, and 25 in 2009. The rating is divided into four categories , based on how ecofriendly the structures are, with platinum at the top, followed by gold, silver and certified buildings

"Although it costs more to construct a green building, the returns are high," says a spokesperson for the IGBC, adding,  "The government should provide initiatives to encourage green developers. Green builders are provided incentives in Pune and Greater Noida . A lot of people also opt for green certification as it makes it much easier to get environmental clearance."

More for green

Constructing a green building costs 3% to 5% more than a normal building, but subsequent expenditure is low. On an average, these buildings consume 40% to 50% less energy than a normal building and cut water consumption by as much as 40%.

Green Building Ratings In India

In India, the IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) gives the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating, a system which rates buildings on design, construction and operation and offers four certifications for new constructions: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Adarsh  (Association for Development and Research of Sustainable Habitats) founded by Teri (The Energy and Resources Institute), New Delhi, and the ministry for new and renewable energy, (government of India) also issue Griha (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) to deal with small residential complexes and homes. Griha ratings range from one star to five star.

Messe Frankfurt now part of Light India 2012

Messe Frankfurt, world's leading trade fair organizer, will be for the first time, partner with the Electric Lamps & Components Manufacturers’ Association of India (ELCOMA) for the 2012 edition of Light India which will be held from October 5 – 8 at Pragati Madian in New Delhi.

Light India is India’s largest lighting exhibition in terms of exhibitor and visitor numbers, and according to Shyam Sujan, Secretary General of ELCOMA, the 2012 show will be “an even larger exhibitor and visitor scale, supporting the local lighting industry which is seeing an incredible technological advancement in products and services.”

Commenting on the new partnership with ELCOMA, Raj Manek, Managing Director, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd added,  “Messe Frankfurt is looking forward to bringing its expertise to Light India. Currently, we organise three of the most respected lighting industry shows in the world. We have the bi-annual Light + Building held in Frankfurt, which is the world’s biggest lighting and building show, the annual Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition held in Guangzhou,  which is Asia’s biggest and most comprehensive lighting forum, and also the annual Light Middle East held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.”

In addition, Light India will host a three-day technical seminar focusing on emerging new technologies and applications such as energy-saving and green lighting technologies. Some of the world’s leading experts and specialists will deliver Technical Papers on subjects most relevant to India and recommendations made during the seminar will form a white paper which will be submitted to the government for decision making and future policy guidelines.

Light India will cover a gross area of 16,000 sq m and will offer a comprehensive trade and marketing platform in these categories such as  Electric lamps,  LED lighting products,  Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL),  Architectural lighting, Decorative lighting, Commercial lighting, Residential lighting, among others.

 “With its new Messe Frankfurt international connection, Light India participants will have a unique opportunity to update themselves with the latest products, technologies, trends and services from across the globe,” Manek remarked, adding,  “In addition, with the support of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, CPWD and the Council of Architecture, Builders Association of India and the Indian Society of Lighting Engineers (ISLE), Light India is the platform to interact with the bulk buying government and private agency decision makers.”

India’s lighting industry

During the last seven decades, India’s lighting industry has transitioned from being an importer of finished products, to an assembler of components, and now to a self sufficient producer of lighting systems.

India’s lighting industry currently has a turnover of USD 1.8 billion and is growing between 10 to 12 percent per annum. The local market is more international, offering a full range of products and systems as the Indian government has adopted a liberalised economic policy which gives consumers global product choices.

The import of lighting products is estimated at more than USD 18 million per year, growing at 15 percent. In addition, duties are being lowered and new technologies are being encouraged.

H S Mamak, Advisor to ELCOMA continued: “The Indian lighting industry welcomes international competition and has upgraded its quality standards using international technology, joint venture cooperation, trading and exporting. As India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies with a GDP growth of around 8 percent, the years ahead should be even better for the lighting industry, especially with an increased surge in CFL, LED, HID and lighting fixture products due to consumer awareness of energy efficient lighting. In addition, India’s construction boom and industrial development is presenting a great opportunity for lighting manufacturers.”

Making inroad into plastic-less society

At a time when the world is worried over the massive accumulation of plastic wastes on its surfaces, which will threaten the very existence of the human race if not checked immediately, Dr R Vasudevan, Dean ECA & Prof. Department of Chemistry of Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, has an answer for this. He has done the country proud by introducing a technology where plastic wastes can be recycled for laying tar roads. These roads are not only stronger and durable, but also cost-effective and environment-friendly.

After a decade's of hard work and persistent efforts, Vasudevan’s invention of a technology to use plastic waste to lay roads, patented by TCE, finally got a shot in the arm last month with the Centre approving its wider application. KR Iyer speaks to the ‘Plastic Road Man', as he is  fondly revered in Madurai, about his vision and mission.

·         Can you give a brief note on how plastic wastes are being used in construction of roads?

Dr Vasudevan: Plastics are always common man’s friend. It finds its use in every field and the consumption of plastics increases day by day. Nearly 50% of the plastic consumed is used for packing. The most used plastic materials for packing are carry bags, cups, thermocoles and foams. These materials are made from polymers like Polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene. (The tubes and wires are made out of poly vinyl chloride).

These materials, once used are thrown out or littered by us more because of wrong culture. They mix with Municipal Solid Waste. As they are non-biodegradable, the disposal becomes a problem and they cause environmental pollution as they are disposed either by burning or by land filling.

Yet these packing materials (either mono layer or laminated poly layers made out of poly ethylene, poly propylene and poly styrene) can be easily used for various uses like road construction and block making, without affecting the environment. (Poly Vinyl Chloride is not used here) and it is the best way to dispose the waste plastics.

Plastics as a Binder:

These plastic materials when heated to around 120⁰c to 150⁰c, they melt and in their molten state they can be used as a binder. Only if they are heated to temperature more than 250⁰c they may decompose producing gaseous products which results in air pollution. Coating molten plastic over granite stone can be done around 150^o C and the coating helps to bind with bitumen strongly resulting in better mix for road construction and the quality of the stone also improves by closing the voids.

PVC is not used due to its toxic nature.

Waste Plastics for Road construction:

Plastics waste is shredded into small pieces (between 1.6mm – 2.5mm). The granite stone is heated to around 170⁰c. The shredded plastics waste is added to the stone. It get melted and coated over stone in just 30 seconds. Then the bitumen is added and mixed. The mix is used for road construction. From rural roads to National High ways all types of roads can be laid using this technique.

·         How does it save money and environment?

Dr Vasudevan: Waste plastics like carry bags, disposal cups, thermocoles, multi layer films and polyethylene and polypropylene foams can be used without segregation and cleaning. The process needs no new machinery and it is in situ process. The overall consumption of bitumen is less by 10 to 15% and thus the coat is reduced. By laying one km single lane of plastic road, 10 lakh carry bags are consumed with a saving of 1 ton of bitumen (Rs 40,000). 

It also helps to avoid the entry of three tons of CO­₂ in the atmosphere, if it is otherwise disposed by burning. Value addition to waste plastics is being created. Use of pavement scrap waste for plastic tar road reduces the cost by 50%.

 

• How strong are the Plastic Tar Roads compared to conventional ones?

Plastic tar road has double strength, compared to ordinary bitumen road. It can withstand both heavy load and heavy traffic. It is not affected by rain or stagnated water. And hence no pot hole is formed. There is no rutting and raveling. The life of the road is not less than seven years and there is no need for maintenance expenditure. Performance studies of the plastic tar road were carried out as per Central Road Research Institute specification and the results are very good. It has been published by CPCB and NRRDA as monographs.

The bitumen mixed with plastic flakes made from domestic wastes displays better hardness, better resistance to water penetration and hence lasts longer. Domestic wastes falling into categories such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene can be converted into flakes or granules and be mixed with the aggregate. Alternatively the plastic can be mixed with heated tar and later mixed with the gravel. Polyethylene can be used up to five per cent and polystyrene 20 per cent and so on, the professor said.

 

• What is the response from the state and central government?

Dr Vasudevan: There are a few states already started laying roads using plastics. They are Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Goa. The Centre has given its consent to use the technology in highway projects. 

But I feel that still more states need to adopt this technology. The awareness is lacking. Municipal Corporation should come forward to collect domestic waste, waste from public houses and markets using double bin systems. School student service may be used. It will also help to create awareness among them. 

Waste plastics by themselves are not a problem. Thinner films betters can be  easily used for road construction. The increase in thickness only helps to increase the consumption of raw material more and more.

It is the human problem. Man need to develop the habit of segregation. The authorities like Municipality, Corporation, Associations, and NRI can join to help the segregation.

A study on the performance of plastic tar road and plain bitumen road is given below.

 

 What is the response from the Tamil Nadu government?

Dr R Vasudevan with former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

Dr Vasudevan: The Tamil Nadu government had sanctioned more than  Rs 150 cr for laying plastic tar road in all corporations and municipalities. They have also sanctioned an amount of Rs 200 cr for Chennai Corporation alone. The Corporation had already started laying roads in city.

About the Growth of Plastic Tar Road

• The process of using waste plastics for road laying was developed in the year 2001. This was very much appreciated and encouraged by former President Dr. APJ. Abdul Kalam. The process was patented in 2002. The first plastic tar road was laid in October 4^th 2002 at Lenin Street, Kovilapatti. After the meeting of the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and as per the instruction from the CM office the DRDA, Tamil Nadu encouraged the process and more than 2500 km of plastic road was laid all around Tamil Nadu up to the year 2006 (in all districts).

• The then Tamil Nadu government has also published a pamphlet, detailing the road laying process and the list of places where plastic road laid through DRDA. In an average nearly 40 km of road was laid in each district under DRDA program.

•  Many corporations like Chennai, Trichy and Madurai came forward to lay the plastic tar road and the plastic manufacturers also supported the process.

•  Then the process was geared up with the help of Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi. They have signed two MoU with TCE 1. For releasing a guidelines book on laying of plastic tar road and 2. For the performance studies of plastic tar road (cpcb.nic.in).

• The plastic tar road technology gained its importance all over India and states like Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, AP and West Bengal are laying plastic tar road from 2005 to till date. The government of Kerala has honored Dr. R. Vasudevan by including him in the Kerala Government committee for the disposal of waste plastics.
• The pollution control board of Himachal Pradesh laid a model road during the period September 2009 at Shimla. After studying the performance of this road, they have laid more than 140 km of plastic tar road in the Himachal Pradesh till date. 
• The Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi had sanctioned two projects during the year 2005 -2008 and 2009-2012 for the studies on the technical issues of plastic waste management under Green Chemistry. The two projects costs around RS 1Crore. 
•   Invited lectures were given in many national and international conference at all state capitals in India and in widener university, Philadelphia, USA. It was highly appreciated by the Japanese professors and many of our engineers of high reputation. 
•  Recently in January plastic roads were laid at the TATA NAGAR, Jamshedpur. 
•  Former election commissioner Navin Chawla, during his visit to Madurai, had a special session at Madurai airport to discuss about the plastic tar road. 
•  Though the contractors are worried about a long life of the plastic tar road, many panchayat board chairmen are very much interested in this work. 
• Recently in the year 2010 the National Rural Road Development Agency in consultation with us, have published a Guidelines for laying plastic tar road laid. More recently the Ministry of Environment and Forest has published a gazette notification in their waste management rules book regarding the laying of plastic tar road by the municipal corporations of India. 
• Our present Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has included in her parties election manifesto that the state will be freed from plastic menace and rural roads will be converted into plastic road using the process developed by the Thiagarajar College of Engineering. 
•  Collection and segregation of domestic waste are being popularized through the awareness camps conducted at various schools in and around Madurai and a school at Melur near Madurai laid plastic tar road in their school campus itself by using the waste plastics collected by the students. 
• A women organization SORPTOMISTIC has come forward to take the message to the mass for effective collection of waste plastics and safe guarding of Municipal Solid Waste (Which is a source for good manure) and it has already started the program in 25 schools at Madurai. 
• The works has been published in various international and national journals 
• A technical report on these work was sent to Indian Road Congress and it was published is the High ways Journal during the year 2004.
• Another technical publication came in the year 2010 from the International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology, China. 
• The process gained recognition throughout India and lecture demonstration is being arranged at many places by the public. 
•  India has more than 3.314 million kms of road length of which 70% of road is yet to be converted into tar road. They can be converted in to plastic tar road. We may need more waste plastics than what is available. All the plastics waste will be used and the roads will be strong and good. The disposal of plastic waste is no longer a problem.

“Let us understand the importance of waste plastic and good garbage culture - Let us make the environment clean.  Don’t litter plastic on road but use it for road construction.” __ Dr R Vasudevan